Where to buy 70's 'Vette and where for insurance
Where to buy 70's 'Vette and where for insurance
Author
Discussion

DustyC

Original Poster:

12,820 posts

275 months

Tuesday 19th July 2005
quotequote all
Asking for a mate at work.

Are there any dealers that stock older Classic Corvettes? In particular interest is a late 70's model.
(Late preffered but also likes the chrome of the earlier ones).

Is there anyone that speciallises in inspection reports on these cars rather than use the AA/RAC etc?

Also where is good to get insurance? It would be a second car.

Many thanks.



>> Edited by DustyC on Tuesday 19th July 11:51

ZR1cliff

17,999 posts

270 months

Tuesday 19th July 2005
quotequote all
Try "Stevenage Insurance Services Ltd" 01438 313251, they insure vettes like the 70's type on a classic insurance.

mickn

89 posts

263 months

Tuesday 19th July 2005
quotequote all

Is this Dusty with the blue TVR, if so hi its Mick with the red Corvette convertible whose wife and daughter are still looking for Bluewater. I use Sureterm Direct, £133.00 fully comp for the year on a 3000 limited mileage. You can try Corvette Kingdom or Darts for the car. I know someone with a red 1973 convertible who might be tempted to part with it if the price was right.

>> Edited by mickn on Tuesday 19th July 14:56

vetteheadracer

8,273 posts

274 months

Tuesday 19th July 2005
quotequote all
Check out Classic American magazine for details, Claremont Corvette, Dart and Corvette Kingdom all sell old vettes, but expect to get your @rse chewed financially compared with buying privately.

roscobbc

3,943 posts

263 months

Tuesday 19th July 2005
quotequote all
I pay £170 pa for my C3 BB. This is in outer London. As already intimated if you go to any of the 'Vette' specialists you will get turned over and pay too much or get talked into a less desireable car. Best do the rounds, go to some meets, shows, runs, look at some in mags, ask around etc, get to know owners etc, but be patient allow 6-9 months to find one.

ZR1cliff

17,999 posts

270 months

Tuesday 19th July 2005
quotequote all
Best bet is for your mate to go to as many american car/corvette meets and shows as possible and let owners know you are in the market for a particular year and type,you will often find one with all renovation and service work done at a snip of the price paid for the work,plus if you get it from a respected enthusiast then you will have piece of mind.

76Vette

99 posts

249 months

Wednesday 20th July 2005
quotequote all
For instance, your mate could buy my utterly stunning '76 for a shade under 30k......if he wants.

ZR1cliff

17,999 posts

270 months

Wednesday 20th July 2005
quotequote all
76Vette said:
For instance, your mate could buy my utterly stunning '76 for a shade under 30k......if he wants.




30K Are you Claremont in Disguise?

franv8

2,212 posts

259 months

Wednesday 20th July 2005
quotequote all
Try Autotrader too online. I got mine through there about 5 years ago. There's always about 20-30 Vettes for sale nationally (some 70's, but also newer too).

Thing to be is careful with any - they'll all be described as mint condition, but there are a few specifics to look for on any Vette, for the C3 in particular frame rot and seized brake calipers.

DustyC

Original Poster:

12,820 posts

275 months

Thursday 21st July 2005
quotequote all
Thanks for all the advice so far, very good.

Now what I need is some kinda buyers guide. Any on the net? I have offered to help this guy out as much as I can.

Also 30K is over 3 times more than the intended budget!


vetteheadracer

8,273 posts

274 months

Thursday 21st July 2005
quotequote all
For buyers guide type info try the following:

http://vettenet.org/sharkbuy.html

Production figures and option codes by year:

www.idavette.net/

LuS1fer

43,094 posts

266 months

Thursday 21st July 2005
quotequote all
Quite a few members of the AACI have imported C3's in recent years. You basically have to find one in the US and import it and get an MOT on it so you can register it. You'll pay less and if he is a bit worried about buying blind, there's a Corvette guy we can put him in contact with to look at cars within a reasonable distance for a suitable fee.
Shipping, roll on roll off is about $800, insurance is about $250 and he'll pay 10% import duty and 17.5% VAT on top of the purchase price.
There was a stunning big block C3 for sale a few years back for £13k in Bristol. It was at the Cwmbran show but I'm not sure if it's for sale any more. As with anything, you get what you pay for. Many of these cars have been improved in the handling and braking department so always check what's been spent on it.

DustyC

Original Poster:

12,820 posts

275 months

Friday 22nd July 2005
quotequote all
I personally like that one a lot, but he doesn't want a convertable.
Seen the white one on Autotrader? Thoughts?

chevy-stu

5,392 posts

249 months

ZR1cliff

17,999 posts

270 months

Friday 22nd July 2005
quotequote all
Future collectables are Big Blocks and the ones i like ,the pace cars,remember its a buyers market and your freind might get a better deal near the end of the summer.

DustyC

Original Poster:

12,820 posts

275 months

Friday 22nd July 2005
quotequote all
Yeah I agree, that balck one on Ebay does look good. Long way for us to go though. We are based in Hampshire. Think we'll try the white one first and go from there.

76Vette

99 posts

249 months

Friday 22nd July 2005
quotequote all
Tell you what, 30k was way over MY budget when I bought the rolling wreck!!! Sadly I discovered for myself the alternative economic rules of restoration. You want something fairly mint in the end, so you get the spanners out. By the time you're done (because the other option is a shelved project sittin int garage), you've spent WAAAAAAY more than it'll ever sell for.
Ah well......the only way it makes sense is to have fun driving it.
And for 10k you should be able to get a cracker. Or spend 5 then budget 5 for a really good clean up.
Anybody want my S Manchester detached house for £3 million?......I'll get me coat.

DustyC

Original Poster:

12,820 posts

275 months

Friday 22nd July 2005
quotequote all
cheers for all the help so far.

Vetteheadracer, thanks for the buyers guide, very useful.

I'll keep you posted on how this goes and get the bloke to join PH when he gets it!

ZR1cliff

17,999 posts

270 months

Friday 22nd July 2005
quotequote all
76Vette said:
Tell you what, 30k was way over MY budget when I bought the rolling wreck!!! Sadly I discovered for myself the alternative economic rules of restoration. You want something fairly mint in the end, so you get the spanners out. By the time you're done (because the other option is a shelved project sittin int garage), you've spent WAAAAAAY more than it'll ever sell for.
Ah well......the only way it makes sense is to have fun driving it.
And for 10k you should be able to get a cracker. Or spend 5 then budget 5 for a really good clean up.
Anybody want my S Manchester detached house for £3 million?......I'll get me coat.


I know what your saying,i paid 20K for mine and have spent double on it since ive owned it, 3 million,my lady friend tells me Manchester N is the place to be